The UK's National Crime Agency has reportedly frozen £10 million (around $13.6 million) in Premier League funds tied to fantasy football startup Sorare, the first installment of a much larger sponsorship arrangement now clouded by a gambling investigation.
The Frozen Payment
According to reports, the seized sum represents the opening payment under a broader deal worth roughly $163 million between the Premier League and Sorare, the blockchain-based fantasy card game backed by football icon Lionel Messi.
The National Crime Agency's move places a significant portion of the arrangement in limbo, raising questions about how the sponsorship will proceed while authorities examine whether the platform's operations run afoul of UK gambling law.
A single frozen payment has thrown a multimillion-dollar Premier League partnership into uncertainty.
Sorare allows users to buy, sell and trade digital collectible cards representing real-world footballers, then assemble virtual lineups whose performance is tied to actual match results. The mechanics have drawn regulatory scrutiny over whether the activity constitutes gambling.
A Company Under Scrutiny
The startup, which counts high-profile backers among its supporters, is now facing a potential gambling prosecution in the UK. Regulators have long debated how to classify play-to-earn and prediction-style crypto games that blend elements of skill, chance and financial stakes.
The case underscores the mounting pressure on Web3 gaming projects operating in tightly regulated markets, where sports partnerships and celebrity endorsements can invite closer official attention.
Key points from the reported situation include:
- Roughly $13.6 million in Premier League money has been frozen by the NCA.
- The payment was the first under a deal valued at about $163 million.
- Sorare is confronting a possible gambling prosecution in the UK.
The outcome could set an important precedent for how blockchain fantasy sports platforms are treated under British law, with implications for their ability to strike lucrative deals with major sporting institutions.